PROMOTIONS VIOLATED CONTRACT, ARBITRATOR SAYS.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: KATE GURNETT Staff writer

ALBANY -- County Public Works Commissioner Richard Rapp violated a union contract by promoting three workers over more senior employees, an arbitrator has ruled.

Rapp said he promoted all three in 1994 based on how much voluntary overtime they put in.

Arbitrator Michael S. Lewandowski of the Public Employment Relations Board rejected Rapp's reasoning and ordered him to appoint John Slaver, Barry Waldron and Randy Loucks to the equipment operator positions within 30 days.

All three will receive full pay and benefits retroactive to Dec. 29, 1994.

Slaver, Waldron and Loucks filed grievances in 1994 …